WHAT CAUSES PLAQUE AND WHY IS IT HARMFUL? PART 2

When foods containing carbohydrates (sugars, starches), such as milk (not just unhealthy junk foods), soft drinks, cakes or Candy’s are consumed, plaque develops on the teeth.
 
Bacteria that normally resides in the mouth thrive on these foods and as a result produce acid as their byproduct. Over a period of time these acids will destroy tooth enamel which in turn results in tooth decay.
 
What most do not know though, is that plaque is able to develop on the tooth root surfaces UNDER the gingiva (gums). This plaque can then contribute to the eventual breakdown of the bone supporting the tooth/teeth throughout the dentition.
 
Plaque buildup can lead to gum disease(s):
 
(1) first being gingivitis. Gingivitis results in the swollen sometimes tender gingival tissue (gums) that sometimes bleed….. does anyone remember the “pink in the sink” commercials? If you do, gingivitis is what the commercials were drawing attention to.
(2) if left unchecked or addressed through regular dental hygiene visits, gingivitis can progress to Periodontal disease. A severe gum disease. With periodontal disease you still have the above characteristics of the gingiva (gums) + the gingiva tissue pulls away from the teeth, allowing the bacteria present to destroy the underlying bone responsible for supporting the teeth.